If you’re searching for the crem dela crem of FREE synthesizer VSTs to boost your music production? You’ve hit the jackpot! From vintage analogue vibes to cutting-edge digital synths, these gems pack all the sound design tools and creative power you could want without costing a fortune.
This is by no means a list of every single free synthesiszer in existance. It’s a list of the most well produced/coded synths out of the whole world of free synthesizers. Good code = Great Synth.
Whether I’m sculpting rich leads for a Drum & Bass track or diving deep into experimental soundscapes for some Dubstep, these synths never fail to inspire. This list will be updated as new “WORTH-WHILE” synths get released. The icing on the cake? They’re 100% FREE!
Virtual analog synthesizers are digital instruments designed to replicate the sound and behavior of classic analog synths using software. They simulate the warmth, richness, and imperfections associated with analog circuits, offering oscillators, filters, and modulation capabilities that mimic vintage hardware. Unlike true analog synths, virtual analogs provide the convenience of software with modern features like preset storage, automation, and expanded sound design options, making them a favorite among producers who want that analog feel without the hassle of maintaining physical gear.
Before Surge, Tyrell N6 was the premier free synth. Created by Urs Heckmann, it boasts two oscillators, a noise generator, ring modulation, and syncable LFOs—essential for any producer.
OB-Xd emulates the Oberheim OB-X series, offering classic analog sounds with detunable oscillators, LFO, and a rich filter. It’s free, easy to use, and available on multiple platforms.
Hercules Synthesiser V2 is an analog style synth you just HAVE to add to your portfolio, offering improved sound quality and new features like an FX section and pitch envelope. Just Try it!
TAL-NoiseMaker is a free synth with dual oscillators, a multi-mode filter, custom envelopes, and built-in effects. It’s great for creating both classic analog sounds and modern electronic music.
This is a REALLY is a fun synth to use. With a customizable 16-slot waveset, 24 spectral effects, and 16-voice polyphony, Zebralette offers powerful sound design options. Add it to the list of downloads.
SuperWave P8 is yet another completely FREE virtual analogue synth, perfect for powerful leads, lush pads, and silky strings. Great synth for anyone looking for something with a clean UI. Don’t believe me? Try it out yourself below.
Behringer VINTAGE is a free virtual analogue synthesiser that revives classic synth sounds from the 70s and 80s. With over 100 presets and compatibility with Windows 10+ and macOS 10.13+, worth checking out.
KHS ONE is the perfect free synth for beginners, offering an analogue-like sound engine and an intuitive interface. It features two main oscillators, a sub-oscillator, dual filters, three envelopes, and much more.
Analog Lab Play is a free software instrument offering 100 essential presets, from synths to pads, all in a streamlined interface. With smart browsing and seamless MIDI integration, it’s designed for easy use with any controller. Available for Windows and macOS, it’s a perfect tool.
Saturn V is a powerful analog-style synth that’s built for both studio precision and live performance flexibility. Its a little bit old now. But still worth a shot. With its four main oscillators and two subs, it delivers rich, versatile sounds right out of the gate. Every parameter is fully MIDI-mappable.
The PG-8X faithfully emulates the classic Roland JX-8P synthesizer, capturing the lush, analog warmth of 80s synths. It’s ideal for genres like synthwave, vaporwave, and retro-inspired music, delivering authentic pads, leads, and basses that define the vintage sound. Give it a try for the retro sound!
Celebrate CFA-Sound’s 7th anniversary with the free SUPER-7 VST synthesizer, bringing you the iconic Supersaw sound inspired by the legendary Roland JP8000/8080. The Supersaw oscillator has remained a staple in electronic music production, this emulation captures that classic vibe.
Wavetable synthesizers generate sound by cycling through complex waveforms called wavetables, which consist of multiple single-cycle waveforms. Unlike traditional analog synths, they allow for seamless morphing between these waveforms, offering dynamic and evolving timbres. This versatility makes them ideal for genres that demand rich textures, such as drum & bass, dubstep, and experimental electronic music. With the ability to modulate wavetables in real-time, these synths provide producers with a powerful tool for creating unique and expressive sounds that stand out in a mix.
Vital Basic is a versatile and free synthesizer that offers limitless modulation options and a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for producers of all skill levels. It comes with 75 presets and 25 wavetables, providing a solid foundation for sound design. While the basic version is free, users have the option to upgrade for additional features and enhancements.
Surge by Vember Audio is a highly versatile free synth VST known for its robust dual-engine architecture and powerful sound design capabilities. It features three oscillators per voice, multiple synthesis techniques (including FM, wavetable, and subtractive), and a wide range of modulation options, making it ideal for everything from lush pads to aggressive leads.
SynthMaster Player is a streamlined version of SynthMaster, designed for users who prefer using presets over detailed sound design. This free version includes 500 factory presets, allowing users to adjust 12 easy parameters and the bypass states of effects set by the sound designer. It supports VST, AU, and AAX formats across Windows and macOS.
FM synthesizers (Frequency Modulation synthesizers) create complex sounds by modulating the frequency of one waveform (the carrier) with another waveform (the modulator). This approach generates harmonically rich tones that range from bell-like chimes to gritty basses. Unlike traditional subtractive synthesis, FM synthesis excels in producing sharp, evolving, and metallic textures, making it popular in electronic genres like drum & bass, techno, and ambient music. Its versatile sound design capabilities allow producers to craft unique, expressive tones that cut through a mix.
Dexed is yet another free FM synth, emulating the Yamaha DX7. With 144 parameters for DAW automation, it’s perfect for FM synth fans. The interface takes some time to learn, but it’s powerful.
Exakt Lite is a user-friendly FM synth with a four-operator, twelve-voice engine and eight classic algorithms. Its simplified interface makes it easy to use, even for beginners. You need to this one, trust me!
Kairatune is a powerful little synth. It was specifically made for creating dirty bass sounds, unique leads, and sharp SFX. It’s designed for fast, intuitive use. Its worth adding to your portfolio. Try it for Free!
Hybrid synthesizers combine multiple synthesis methods, such as analog, wavetable, and FM synthesis, to offer a diverse range of sound-shaping options. By blending different synthesis techniques, they provide the flexibility to create both traditional and unconventional tones, making them ideal for producers who want to push sonic boundaries. This fusion approach allows for deep sound design, giving access to the warmth of analog synthesis, the evolving textures of wavetables, and the complex harmonics of FM, all within a single instrument.
Cobalt is a free synth plugin inspired by 80s hybrid digital synths like the Korg DW8000. It features 26 digital waveforms, an analog-modeled filter, and an easy-to-use interface. Perfect for synth wave.
Pendulate is a free synth from Newfangled Audio and Eventide, featuring an oscillator based on double pendulum physics. Ideal for dark, glitchy sounds, it offers up to 169 modulation routings .
Chimera is a noise-driven synth for pads and haunting leads, featuring three noise generators, 50+ presets, soft clipper distortion, stereo delay, and flexible modulation with envelopes, LFOs, and MIDI CC controls.
Odin 2 is the ultimate free synth, boasting a powerful oscillator section with wavetables, FM, vector, and even chiptune options. The filter section offers 13 types, including vintage emulations like the Oberheim 12 and Diode Ladder.
Syntronik 2 sets a new benchmark in virtual synthesizers, combining advanced sampling with a hybrid synthesis engine to deliver rare and iconic synths with stunning accuracy. This major update adds 12 new synths, introduces powerful new features.
Azimuth is a virtual analogue and wavetable synth for Mac and Windows. Four oscillators, stereo panning, multimode filters, and three LFOs, it delivers rich, dynamic sound. The synth includes effects, all controlled by a central X/Y pad for vector-style synthesis.
Azimuth is a virtual analogue and wavetable synth for Mac and Windows. Four oscillators, stereo panning, multimode filters, and three LFOs, it delivers rich, dynamic sound. The synth includes effects, all controlled by a central X/Y pad for vector-style synthesis.
2RuleSynth is a versatile software synthesizer that blends subtractive, FM, and ring modulation synthesis. It offers both classic analog and experimental sounds. The V3 update introduces new effects like reverb, delay, chorus, all in a refined interface.
Wavea Flite Play is a free synthesizer offering 2.5GB of samples from iconic synths like the Yamaha CS-80, Juno 106, and TR-808. With 200 presets and up to eight macro controls, it allows for easy sound customization, delivering vintage tones straight into your DAW.
DRIVE is a free, powerful synth for creating high-energy electronic music. With complex synthesis under the hood, it’s easy to use and comes with intuitive controls, making sound design simple. Download and explore its features with the UJAM App. You have to download this one today!
Asper is a sick experimental synth that combines wavetable, subtractive, phase distortion, and physical modeling to simulate real instrument variations. It offers dual-layer oscillators, 118 wavetables, comb filters, phase distortion, and round-robin simulation for detailed sound shaping.
Subtractive synthesizers shape sound by generating a harmonically rich waveform, such as a sawtooth or square wave, and then using filters to “subtract” certain frequencies from it. This classic synthesis method allows producers to sculpt tones by reducing harmonics, resulting in a wide range of sounds from warm pads to punchy basses. It’s the foundation of many vintage synths and remains popular in electronic music for its straightforward approach to creating expressive, analog-style textures and timbres.
Charlatan is a free, subtractive synth designed for quick, creative workflows and in-depth sound design. It features twin oscillators, dual filters, four modulators, and a range of high-quality effects. With low CPU demand and broad compatibility, it’s a versatile tool for any producer.
HY-Poly Free is a versatile subtractive synth with two morphing oscillators, PWM, vibrato. It also includes filters, ADSR envelopes, LFOs, step sequencers, and built-in effects. The modulation workflow is easy to use, making complex sound design straightforward.
Helm is a versatile subtractive synthesizer available for free that prioritizes ease of use with its intuitive interface. It boasts a range of features, including stutter effects and an arpeggiator, all integrated into a single panel for streamlined sound design. This layout enables quick adjustments.
Modular synthesizers are customizable systems made up of separate modules, such as oscillators, filters, and envelope generators, which can be connected in various configurations. Each module performs a specific function, allowing users to patch them together in countless ways to create unique sounds and signal flows. This flexibility provides an unparalleled level of control and experimentation, making modular synths popular for sound design and experimental music.
Voltage Modular Nucleus is an ideal introduction to modular synthesis, offering 22 modules and over 130 presets that cover subtractive analog synthesis basics, including oscillators, filters, envelope generators, amplifiers, and mixers. It also features a sequencer, arpeggiator, and a range of utility and effects modules. This is quite a powerful synth.
Firefly Synth is a semi-modular polyphonic synthesizer that emphasizes flexibility and creativity in sound design. Its unique routing capabilities allow users to connect modules in innovative ways, while real-time visualization aids in understanding the signal flow. With drag-and-drop modulation, various oscillator types, and customizable themes.
VCV Rack brings the limitless possibilities of modular synthesis to your screen, letting you build intricate patches by simply adding modules, connecting cables, and adjusting parameters. Whether you’re crafting generative music with a few clicks, jamming live with your MIDI keyboard, or syncing with your DAW via the upcoming VCV Bridge VST/AU plugin.
Additive synthesizers generate sound by layering multiple sine waves, each representing a different frequency, to create complex timbres. Unlike subtractive synthesis, which removes frequencies from a harmonically rich waveform, additive synthesis builds sounds from the ground up by adding harmonics together. This approach allows for precise control over the harmonic content, enabling the creation of evolving, dynamic textures and intricate tones.
X-Stream is a free spectral synthesizer that takes your samples and transforms them into vibrant soundscapes and textures. Perfect for sound design and ambient music, it allows you to stretch the playback of samples, loops, or even entire tracks to create mesmerizing, ethereal atmospheres.
Zebralette 3 is a powerful, free synth featuring a single Zebra oscillator with a spline-based wavetable editor, 16 snapshots, and morphing options. It offers two oscillator effect slots, wavetable or additive synthesis modes, and detailed waveform shaping through a vectorized GUI.
Experimental synthesizers are designed for pushing the boundaries of traditional sound synthesis, offering unconventional features and flexible modulation options to create unique, unpredictable tones. These synths often incorporate unusual waveforms, noise generators, granular synthesis, or complex routing capabilities, encouraging users to explore new sonic possibilities beyond standard synthesis techniques.
BLEASS Monolit is a free, efficient mono-synth perfect for creating powerful basses, leads, arpeggios, and unique SFX. Dont expect to be hitting those amazing chords witht his synth. Its made for creating mostly bass sounds. Available for desktop, iPhone, and iPad, it features an intuitive interface, low CPU usage, and a built-in dice function for generating inspiring new sounds.
2RuleSynth is a versatile software synthesizer that masterfully combines subtractive, FM, and ring modulation synthesis techniques, enabling users to create a broad spectrum of sounds, from classic analog tones to experimental textures. The recent V3 update enhances its capabilities with a selection of new effects, including reverb, delay, and chorus.
Step into the chill zone with Orange Dreams 2 Lite, the free lofi toolkit perfect for laid-back beats and mellow vibes. Covering everything from hip hop to jazz hop, it’s a slick starting point for crafting smooth grooves. The free version packs 22 curated presets, 2 samplers for layering sounds, 1 filter for shaping audio, and a vintage-inspired effects rack. Love this synth!
Spitfire Audio’s LABS series offers a collection of free, high-quality sampled instruments with minimal controls that deliver excellent sound. The current lineup includes Charango, Electric Piano, Amplified Electric Cello Quartet, Drums, Strings, and Soft Piano. Perfect for anyone seeking professional-grade sounds without the cost.
Crystal is a synth that I hold close to my heart… I’ve been using it since my teens, and it still delivers. Sure, there are more advanced synths out there, but this one has a special place in my setup. It’s reliable, nostalgic, and definitely deserves a spot in your DAW. It’s still got a big community behind it to this day. Check out!